Wizards Offers First Glimpse at Last Duel Deck

Magic's Duel Decks may be coming to a close, but previews for the final installment are just beginning. Yesterday, Wizards of the Coast spoiled a handful of cards set to appear in their latest and final Duel Deck product, Elves vs. Inventors.

The Duel Decks series began in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins. Each set contains two sixty-card decks designed to be played against one another. These decks often contain spoilers for upcoming sets, reprints with new artwork, and premium foil versions of popular cards.

Goblin Welder headlines the Inventors deck. Originally printed in Urza's Legacy and reprinted in Commander 2014, Goblin Welder sees play in Commander, Vintage, and other eternal formats. This time it comes with new art from Victor Adame Minguez.

Aside from Goblin Welder, the Inventors deck will also include Thopter Assembly (with new Kaladesh-inspired artwork), Solemn Simulacrum, and Shivan Reef.

Ezuri, Renegade Leader headlines the Elves deck, though its card image is hidden in the official spoiler article. By way of explanation, Wizards Content Manager Blake Rasmussen wrote only, "we've got something a bit special planned for that card." Elvish Archdruid, Regal Force, and Sylvan Advocate are also set to appear, with the archdruid receiving new artwork.

It's unclear what Wizards has in store for the new Ezuri card, though that won't stop us from speculating. Are they unveiling a new card frame? Will Ezuri have a full-art treatment? Is it somehow previewing April's new set, Dominaria?

In December of 2017, Wizards announced that Elves vs. Inventors would be the final Duel Deck. Though no specific reason was given, it seems player interest in the last few products in this line has been low. Furthermore, the duel theme might've made it difficult for design teams to create interesting pairings every year.

Regardless, we still have one more Duel Deck to look forward to. Find Duel Decks: Elves vs. Inventors when it releases on April 6, 2018.

Kyle Massa is a writer and avid Magic player living in upstate New York with his fiancée and their two cats. When he's not writing, you'll find him down at the East Greenbush FlipSide store jamming booster drafts. For more of Kyle's work, visit www.kyleamassa.com.